At 9 years old, Timur Khizriev began his MMA road through wrestling before turning to the sport fully as a teenager. The Dagestan native, who splits time between DagFighter and American Top Team, has racked up 14 wins in the cage thus far, never tasting defeat. Khizriev, a two-time Wushu champion, competed for Bellator three times between November 2022 and November 2023. He most recently fought at Bellator 301, scoring a decision over Justin Gonzales.

 

Brett Johns has been a noteworthy face at bantamweight, competing on some of the biggest stages, but will now try his hand at featherweight in this PFL season. Johns, an 11-year MMA veteran who has won regional gold at bantamweight, has been impressive with half of his 20 wins coming via a finish. Johns made his PFL debut at the PFL Europe Championships in December, scoring a third-round TKO of David Tonatiuh-Crol.

 

Which of these noteworthy talents will pick up a win in their debut PFL season?

 

 

Round 1

 

Left hand from Johns. Front kick to the body by Khizriev. Johns returns it. Khizriev clinches up and lands several punches in close. Khizriev really sunk in the right hooks. Khizriev lands another big right before clinching up with Johns and bringing him toward the SmartCage. Body lock by Khizriev before he scores the takedown. Khizriev is looking for side control. Johns throws up his guards, but Khizriev is still in control on top.

 

Khizriev gets in Johns’s face on the ground, bringing him back toward the fence. Khizriev looks to explode, and he lands several right hands before standing up out of the guard. Johns looks to get the single-leg takedown, and he gets it with less than 90 seconds to go. Khizriev looks to counter and lock in an omoplata, but Johns scrambles back to the feet. Khizriev goes for an uppercut, but Johns blocks it. Khizriev lands a right hand. Johns lands to the body, but Khizriev throws a combination. Khizriev with the Superman punch. Khizriev lands a front kick. Johns looks for another takedown but cannot get it before the bell.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Khizriev with two jabs to start. The two exchange, with Johns trying to come forward with pressure. Khizriev with a combination. Johns lands a knee on the inside in a clinch. Johns goes for a takedown, but it gets stuffed by Khizriev. Khizriev brings Johns back to the fence. Johns works his way out after a little bit. Both men try to work their combinations. Left hand and a low kick by Khizriev.

 

 

Johns shoots in for a deep takedown and gets it! Johns looks to get to Khizriev’s back. He gets a hook in. Khizriev gets himself away and manages to reverse the positioning, getting Johns’ back to the fence. Johns looks for a trip from the clinch, but Khizriev blocks it. Johns lands a couple of short knees. Both guys jockeying for position in the clinch late in the round.

 

 

Round 3

 

Khizriev lands a couple of left hands. Johns pressures Khizriev to the SmartCage. Knee by Johns. Khizriev steps across and takes Johns down. Johns puts Khizriev into a closed guard. Khizriev not allowing Johns to create space, smothering him with top pressure and some punches to the head. Khizriev tries to set up an arm-triangle choke.

 

 

Johns scrambles and gets his back to the fence. Khizriev lands some shoulder strikes on the ground. Khizriev continues with his pressure, keeping Johns’s legs pinned and preventing him from standing. The two get back to standing in the closing minute of the fight. Khizriev with a combination. Johns manages to get back in top game on the ground, trying to get to Khizriev’s back, but the bell sounds.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

Timur Khizriev defeats Brett Johns by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) in a featherweight regular season bout